by SOS District 69 | Apr 23, 2015 | Blog
It’s official, SOS is open in Qualicum Beach.
On April 15 the sun was shining and the mood celebratory as about 50 residents gathered outside Qualicum Commons to mark the official grand opening of SOS at the former school.
SOS has been offering services to children and families at the former Qualicum Beach Elementary School since February of this year. The non-profit organization has now secured a team of volunteers to help staff at the site, and SOS Executive Director Renate Sutherland has moved her office to the new location. All SOS programs will continue to run in Parksville as normal.
In her welcoming speech, Sutherland acknowledged the other tenants at Qualicum Commons, as well as the SOS volunteers who have already started helping out at the new location.
Board Chair Eve Flynn spoke on behalf of the school district, and said it was exciting to see the repurposed building filled with activities for all ages, including the excited children beside her who played with their toys as she spoke.
Councillor Neil Horner spoke on behalf of Qualicum Beach Town Council, relaying that nobody wanted to see the elementary school closed, but the new community hub is a positive thing for all residents.
SOS Board Chair Cory McIntosh revealed the programs that are currently running at the SOS Child, Youth and Family Centre, and how they are already meeting the social needs of Qualicum Beach citizens.
After the brief speeches, the speakers cut the ribbon, which was held by 3-year-old triplets who attended the SOS Preschoolers on Move program earlier that day.
People then headed inside the SOS Child, Youth and Family Centre for snacks and refreshments provided by Quality Foods, and a tour of the facilities. To learn more about SOS programs in both Qualicum Beach and Parksville visit the website www.sosd69.com or call 250-248-2093. To call the SOS Child, Youth and Family Centre in Qualicum Beach call 250-752-2040.
by SOS District 69 | Apr 8, 2015 | Blog
More than $2,100 was raised at this year’s Grumpy Old Men Charity Exhibition Hockey game, with the proceeds going to the SOS Recreation Assistance Program. The money will give local children in low income families the chance to register in hockey and skating.
The game took place on March 28 where Team Switchblade Sports took on the Vancouver Island All-stars team. Players included retired professional hockey players and some other well known faces, including Fred Ewanuic who played Hank on the TV Show Corner Gas. Some fabulous raffle prizes were won including a Chad Brownlee/Dallas Smith autographed guitar, a signed Carey Price jersey, and a Vancouver Canucks signed jersey.
by SOS District 69 | Mar 11, 2015 | Blog
The Grumpy Old Men Hockey Club is putting on a charity exhibition game in Parksville called Help Kids Play on March. 28, with proceeds going to the SOS Recreation Assistance Program. The funds raised will assists with hockey and skating registration costs for local children.
The game takes place at 3:30 pm on March 28, 2015 at Oceaside Arena and will feature team Switchblade Sports versus the Vancouver Island All-stars team. Players include
Doug Bodger and son, Trent Kaese and son, David Leneveu, Mike Annan,
Chris Shilto, Jessie Hammill, Matt Woods, Joe Snyder and Troy Newans.
Entry is by donation at the door and there will be raffle prizes and 50-50 tickets available. Some of the goods people can get their hands on include a Chad Brownlee/Dallas Smith autographed guitar, a signed Carey Price jersey, a Vancouver Canucks signed jersey, and much more.
The young Timbit hockey players will be showing off their skills during intermissions.
“The Beach FM 88.5” Oceanside’s Soft Rock, will be on location from 10 am – 2 pm.
For more information, or if anyone is able to assist with corporate donations,
Please call Gary Kuramoto at 250-468-9632 or Bruce L’Heureux at 250-710-4155.
The Grumpy Old Men will also play their Spring Hockey tournament during the March 27-March 29 weekend at Oceanside Arena, featuring all five divisions of players.
by SOS District 69 | Feb 20, 2015 | Blog
SOS board member Candy Ashbridge has been recognized for her outstanding commitment to the community. She won Volunteer of the Year Award at the 2015 Qualicum Beach Community Awards, hosted by the Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 18.
Each year, the Chamber honours individuals and businesses for their contributions to the community. This follows a nomination period, during which residents and visitors are encouraged to put forward names of those they consider to be deserving of recognition.
Ashbridge is a retired librarian and, along with her active role at SOS, she has dedicated her time to Qualicum Cat Rescue, Building Learning Together (BLT), Vancouver Island Compassion Dogs and more. She was the first “story lady” to delight children at Milner Gardens Christmas Magic, and she has volunteered for the local school district on many occasions, reading books to children in her wonderfully animated style.
The award was presented to Ashbridge by SOS president, Cory McIntosh. SOS Executive Director Renate Sutherland said she was thrilled to see Candy recognized with the award.
“We are very honoured that she chooses to lend her time and expertise to SOS,” she said. “She has touched so many lives with her dedication to this community; this award is very well deserved.”
by SOS District 69 | Feb 3, 2015 | Blog
Do you know someone graduating this year? All local 2015 grads have the opportunity to buy their dream dress or tux for just FIVE BUCKS! Spread the word. Call 250-248-2093, ext. 232 – check out our gently used and BRAND NEW dresses!
Shoes and accessories are included in the price.
by SOS District 69 | Jan 9, 2015 | Blog
From the PQB News Jan 8, 2015:
SOS to make STAR tenants out of new housing program
By Candace Wu
The Society of Organized Services will host a new program in February meant to help locals achieve and sustain successful housing experiences.
It’s called the STAR (Supporting Tenancy through Action and Resources) program and it is open to all individuals including men, women, couples and youth.
SOS coordinator Sarah Faulhafer said the program is “education-based,” aimed at people interested in learning their rights as a tenant and figuring out how to sustain housing options.
The program is open to anybody, but targets “people who have chronically bounced between housing.”
Faulhafer said it provides information about understanding tenant rights, as well as offers “transferable life skills” such as budgeting, living with others, conflict management, tenant responsibilities and using local resources.
“We look at the Residential Tenancy Act, talk about making a good first impression and how to research housing opportunities and there is even a module on living with roommates,” explains Faulhafer, who noted she saw a need for a program like this in the Parksville Qualicum Beach community.
“It was identified that some people were being evicted or facing eviction and maybe it wasn’t being done in the most legal way,” she said. “That comes from lack of information from both the landlord and renters and rather than let it get to that point, (this program) is about how to avoid it, ideally.”
There will be four sessions (one every Tuesday) in the month of February, which will last six hours each including breaks, and at the end attendees will receive a certificate. The certificate demonstrates that participants have taken the initiative to better their skills at tenancy.
Faulhafer said the program has room for eight to 10 people and is operated free of charge on a first come first serve basis. Registration is now open. For more information or to register contact Sarah Faulhafer at 250-248-2093.
